WDFW has decided to close bank fishing options in the Chico Creek and Gorst Creek tideland areas as of October 30, 2020 until further notice. This impacts a popular bank fishing area for Chum Salmon fishing on the Kitsap Peninsula. Date: October 30, 2020 Purpose: The purpose of this rule is to close salmon fishing …

Brook Trout – Washington’s High Country Trout
Brook Trout thrive in some of the more remote waters of Washington State. Yet, if you make your way to their home lakes and streams, you can can find some pretty good fishing. Brook Trout Basics Their more formal name is Eastern Brook Trout. Which hints at their natural range, the Eastern United States. Brook …

8 Amazing Techniques to Catch Winter Steelhead
The most popular quarry found in our Pacific Northwest rivers is the Winter Steelhead, we will teach you how to catch them. Although most of our rivers host Steelhead throughout much of the year, it is the winter months that bring in strong numbers of fish and plenty of excitement. I want to share with …

Fishing at Borst Lake – Snoqualmie, Washington
The town of Snoqualmie’s storied past is tied to logging and railroads. Fittingly, Snoqualmie’s Borst Lake is well known as the Mill Pond. At one time, its primary use was as a log holding area for the nearby lumber mill, which has long since closed. Today it is on the sleepy side of the river, …

Fishing at Silver Lake – Everett, Washington
Silver Lake is in a pretty busy part of town. And for many residents who live in the South Everett and Mill Creek areas, this is their neighborhood fishing spot. It is larger than any nearby lakes, at just under 100 acres. Combine its size with the fact that over half of its shoreline is …

Foraging Chanterelle Mushrooms in Washington
I’m going to veer a little off the tracks with this post. Although this is primarily a Pacific Northwest fishing site, I want to key you all into one of my favorite fall pass times, foraging for Chanterelle Mushrooms! During late summer and throughout the fall, Chanterelle Mushrooms really start popping in Washington’s woodlands. If …

Washington Coastal Razor Clam Openers Postponed
WDFW previously announced a very generous number of Razor Clam dates for October and November. Recently, Washington Department of Health has found through monitoring that biotoxin levels are too high to safely allow for harvest. Please visit WDFW Razor Clam Page for updated information. As of the date of this post, November 13 is the …

Guide to Fishing in Washington – Visitors, Newcomers and Beginners
Washington State is a wonderland of fishing opportunities. For a beginner to Washington fishing, our state’s vast diversity of fishing options can seem overwhelming. But, we will help you get through this, and find some great fishing! If you are a visitor, just moved to Washington, or are new to fishing in general, this post …
Guide to Fishing in Washington – Visitors, Newcomers and BeginnersRead More

Learn How to Mooch for Salmon with Capt. Keith Robbins
Keith Robbins of Spot Tail Salmon Guides with a great YouTube video. Even though I have focused on mooching for salmon for the past four summer seasons, I still watch it in awe, Keith captures all of the integral aspects of mooching in a video that spans several minutes. Learn the basics of mooching. You …
Learn How to Mooch for Salmon with Capt. Keith RobbinsRead More

The Best 15 Lures for Winter Steelhead Fishing
Chilly winter weather brings a lot of excitement for fishermen around the Pacific Northwest. Winter Steelhead fishing is one of the favorite targets for anglers from December through April. Here are a few of my favorite Winter Steelhead lures for tackling your next trophy. A variety of Winter Steelhead fishing techniques utilize these lures, so …

Book Review – Salmon: A Fish, the Earth, and the History of Their Common Fate by Mark Kurlansky
I have been a huge fan of Mark Kurlansky’s work and truly believe he is one of the literary geniuses of our time. I fired through a raggedy copy of Cod within days, the historical account on how that fishery built Europe and North America. Then I moved onto Salt, also a great novel. Finally …

Winter Crabbing Opens in Marine Area 8-1 and 8-2
When WDFW announced our 2020 Puget Sound Winter Dungeness Crab season, Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2 were omitted. After a little more survey work, they determined that we get a shot at crabbing close to Everett! Date: October 10 Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to open recreational crab seasons in Marine Areas …

Queets River Salmon Fishing Adventure
Every once in a great while, we are blessed to spend a day fishing with our friends in a beautiful place. I had that very experience last week on the Queets River in Washington’s Olympic National Park. My friends were Ian, David and Chance. They work every day all summer long running charters out of …

Fishing at Lake Alice – Fall City, Washington
Tucked away in the hills outside Fall City is little Lake Alice. This rural lake has areas of undeveloped shoreline as well as numerous lakefront homes. Most of the fishing excitement is geared to the lake’s Rainbow Trout and Largemouth Bass. The lake has a year round fishing season. Lake Alice Fishing Access Lake Alice …

Basic Techniques for Trout Fishing in Washington
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife produced a great tutorial video on the basic rigs for trout fishing. Chris Donnelly of WDFW goes over the slip sinker bait setup, as well as the slip bobber setup. So, If you are a beginner looking to fish Washington’s lowland lakes, this video is a must watch.
Seattle Fishing Report – October 2020
Wow, our first full month of fall in the Pacific Northwest! Hopefully, all of you were able to get out an make the most out of summer, with great weather and good fishing! As we move into the next season, fishing opportunities shift and we prepare for a little different experience on our home waters. …

Puget Sound’s Beaches – Salmon Fishing from Shore
When I stand on the shores of Puget Sound, I feel like a lucky man to live in a place so filled with natural beauty and great fishing. Salmon flood into Puget Sound throughout our summer months. Before I bought my boat, I spent many a day shorebound. Casting towards that dream of landing a …

Blackened Grilled Salmon Recipe
Blackened Salmon is one of my favorite ways of grilling Chinook and Coho lately. Our friend Chris from Brookings, Oregon sent me a few really great photos that really get me motivated to make it again! The trick with any salmon recipe cooked on a grill is the temperature and timing. I prefer a hot …

Coho Salmon – Fast-Action Salmon of the Pacific
Coho Salmon are the abundant, quick-to-feed, quick-to-grow, quick-to-snap-at-your-lure fish that everyone loves to catch. They spend their adolescence in the open ocean waters closest to their natal river, giving everyone on the Pacific Coast a great fishery. Known in much of their range by their aptly appointed nickname, Silver Salmon. They are super fun to …

Washington Razor Clam Season 2020
Washington State shellfish managers have been busy on our coastal beaches counting Razor Clam populations. And based on record breaking clam densities, 2020 is shaping up to give us the best digging and most openers in anyone’s memory! How Washington State’s Razor Clam Seasons are Determined Surveys are done throughout the summer months to figure …